Truss



D. M. DAVIS TRUSS 2 sheets sheez 1 Filed Oct. 27 1924 nu avis.

a; M. DAVIS Aug, 25. 1925.

TRUSYS 2 Shts Shee't -2 Fi-ledQct. 27 1924 Patented Aug. 25, 1925.

UNITED STATES DAVID M. DAVIS, OF MAQUOKETA, IOWA.

Application filed October 27, 1924.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID M. DAVIS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Maquoketa, in the county of Jackson and State of Iowa, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Trusses, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in trusses and has as one of itsobjects to pro vide a truss which will be exceptionally light in weightand will possess a desirable degree of flexibility and resiliency,thereby rendering it comfortable to wear and permitting of maximumfreedom of movement of the limbs and the body muscles without anylikelihood of displacement of the truss.

Another object of the invention is to provide a truss so constructedthat galling and chafing will not result from its use and, in thisconnection, the invention contemplates the provision, in a truss, ofpads so constructed as to provide for ventilation at the parts of thebody engaged by the pads, so that galling and chafing is particularlyprevented at these points.

Another object of the invention is to provide a truss so constructedthat pads of one type may be removed and pads of another typesubstituted therefor, as conditions may dictate.

Another important object of the invention is to provide, in a truss, thecombination of groin pads and an umbilical or navel pad supported in anovel manner between and above the groin pads, whereby, when conditionsrequire the application of pressure to the umbilicus, the singleappliance may be employed instead of resorting to the use of twoseparate and distinct appliances, one for the groin, and the other forthe umbilicus.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a View in front elevation of the truss embodying theinvention applied, the outlines of the body being shown in dotted lines.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the truss applied.

Figure 3 is a vertical front to rear sectional view taken substantiallyon the line 33 of Figure 2, looking in the direction indicated by thearrows.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the lineM of Figure 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view Serial No. ?46,117.

taken substantially on the line 55 of Figure 1, looking in the directionindicated by the arrows.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view in elevation illustrating a slightmodification of the invention.

The truss embodying the invention comprises a hip belt indicated ingeneral by the numeral 1, the same comprising a strap 2 and a strap 3 ofleather or other pliable material suitable for the purpose. The straps 2and 3 are designed to fit over and encircle the hips, as clearlyillustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, and the forward endportion of each strap comprises a pair of plies 4 and 5 which aremarginally stitched together so as to provide a pocket indicated by thenumeral 6, this pocket extending longitudinally of the end portions ofthe respec tive straps. The pads of the truss which are to be adjustedto bear against the groin, are supported by a wire frame indicated ingeneral by the numeral 7, and this frame comprises a straight,substantially horizontally disposed intermediate portion 8, at the endsof which bends 9 are formed, and beyond these upwardly directed bends,the wire comprising the frame has its end portions extended upwardly andrearwardly on suitably curved lines, as indicated by thenumeral 10, andfittedinto the pockets 6 of the respective straps 2 and 3. The extremityof each portion 10 of the frame is flattened as indicated at 11, andformed with an opening indicated by the numeral. 12. Small bolts 13 arepassed through the plies 4t and 5 of the straps and through the saidopenings 12. Each carries a securing nut 14 which, when tightened tobear against the ply 5, will serve to securely hold the bolt in place.In this manner, the ends of the wire frame 7 are anchored in the pockets6 of the straps 2 and 3 and it will be evident that when the straps arefitted about the hips, the wire frame 7 will extend across the abdomen,the portions 10 of the frame being inclined downwardly and forwardlyfrom the strap ends, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2. Any suitablemeans may be provided for adjustably connecting the rear ends of thestraps 2 and 3, such for example as a tongue 15 carried by the rear endof the strap 3 and engageable interchangeably in openings 16 formed inthe rear end portion of the strap 2.

The groin pads of the truss are indicated in general by the numeral 17and inasmuch as these pads are of counterpart construction, a specificdescription of one will sufiice for both. Each of the pads 17 ispreferably formed from aluminum or some other light metal and has asubstantially elliptical con tour, each pad being of hollowconcavo-convex form and being designed, of course, to have its convexside presented toward the body of the wearer of the truss. ach pad 17 isformed centrally with an opening 18, and a bolt 19 which is formed witha longitudinally extending diametric slot 20, has its portion at theopposite sides of the slot and at one end, overturned as at 21, in theopening 18, so as to securely anchor the bolt in place, with itsthreaded shank projecting within the concavity of the pad, a nut 22being threaded upon the shank of the bolt and tightened to bear againstthe inner or concave face of the pad in the manner clearly shown inFigure of the drawings. A washer n3 is fitted onto the bolt 19 and restsagainst the nut 22, and a similar washer 2 1 is likewise fitted upon thebolt, the respec tive portion of the frame 7 being fitted through theslot in the bolt and confined between the washers 23 and 24. A nut 25 isthreaded onto the outer end of the bolt and is adapted to be tightenedso as to cause the washers 23 and 24C to exert clamping action againstthe said portion 10 of the frame and thereby hold the pads in the dosired position of adjustment. At this point it will be evident that byloosening the nut 25, the respective pad 17 may be slidably adjustedalong the respective portion 10 of the frame 7 to any desired positionand that likewise it may be angularly adjusted about the said portion ofthe frame so that when the belt is tightened, the pads may be caused toexert pressure in a more or less upward direction at the points wherethe rupture or hernia is located. It will also be observed that themajor ends of the pads 17 are presented laterally outwardly and theirminor ends are presented toward each other or laterally inwardly, sothat the pads will best conform to the contour of the body and properlyexert pressure thereagainst. It will furthermore be evident, byreference to Figure 5, that the overturned head 21 of the bolt 19 isflush with the outer or convex surface of the respective pads 17 so thatno inconvenience is caused the wearer of the truss, it being intended,furthermore, that the truss shall be worn over the under garments. Toprovide for ventilation of the surface of the body at the points ofengagement of the pads therewith, each pad is formed with a number ofperforations 26 distributed in any preferred manner over its area.

Due to the fact that the outer ends of the members of the frame 7 may beremoved from the pockets 6 in the straps 2 and 3 of the belt 1, the pads17 may be removed, if

occasion requires, and pads of different size or different contoursubstituted therefor.

The umbilical pad is indicated in general by the numeral 27 and issupported by aframe indicated in general by the numeral 28. The saidframe 28 is formed from a suitable length of wire bent to provide spacedside members 29 and a connecting portion 30 extending between the upperends of the said side members. The side members 29 at their lower endsare bent to provide eyes 31 which are of a diameter to loosely receivethe intermediate portion 8 of the frame 7, as clearly shown in Figures1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, thereby providing for forward or backwardtilting of the frame 28 as a whole, under conditions which willpresently be described. The pad 27 is, like the pads 17, preferablyformed of aluminnm and is, generally speaking, of circular form, thesame comprising a concavo convex body 32 having a circumseribingoutstanding flange 33, the body being formed with a plurality ofopenings 34 for the pur pose of ventilation. The numeral 35 indi cates aplate which is disposed to extend transversely of the outer or concaveside of the pad 27 and is secured thereto by bolts indicated by thenumeral 36, the bolts being secured to the said plate 35 at the endsthereof and through the flange 33. The plate is formed between its endswith an opening 37, and a bolt 38 is fitted at one end through the saidopening 37 and is formed with a longitudinally extending diametric slot39, the said end of the bolt at opposite sides of the slot beingoverturned in opposite directions as at 40 so as to provide a headengaging a washer 4.0 which is fitted on the bolt and bears against thatface of the plate 35 which is presented toward the concave side of thepad. A washer 11 is also fitted on the bolt and bears against theforward face of the plate 35, as shown in Figure 3, and the intermediateportion 30 of the frame 28 is fitted through the slot 39 and restsagainst the said washer 41. A washer 4-2 is fitted onto the bolt 38 andbears against the other side of the connecting portion 30 of the frame28, and a nut 43 is threaded onto the bolt and is adapted to betightened so as to cause the washers 41 and 42 to firmly clamp the saidconnecting portion 30 of the frame 28 and thereby hold the umbilical pad27 in different positions of adjustment.

The plate 3? has its end portions outwardly of the periphery of theflange 33 of the pad 27, provided with slots 44, and an elastic waistbelt 45 is looped and secured at one end through one of the slots, asindicated by the numeral 46, and at its other end is engaged through theother slot and adjustably connected with a buckle 47 upon the said belt,so that the belt may be adjusted about the waist of the wearer of thetruss and caused to maintain the pad 27 in bearing engagement with theumbilicus.

From the foregoing description of the invention, it will be seen thatthere is provided a truss which may be readily adapted to the body andthe component parts of which may be so adjusted as to adapt the groinand umbilical pads to exert proper pressure against the respectiveportions of the body. It will also be evident that the pads may beangularly adjusted about their supporting members so as to be presentedat any desired angle to the body, depending upon the body contour, andthat they may be likewise adjusted longitudinally of their supportingmembers. Also, it will be evident that the truss will not interfere withfreedom of movement of the limbs or the body muscles and that noappreciable inconvenience will be experienced by the wearer of thetruss. It will also be evident that where the umbilical pad is notrequired, it may be readily removed by first loosening one end of thesupporting member 7 from the respective strap of the hip belt, removingthe corresponding pad 17, pressing together the side members 29 of theframe 28 so as tobring the eyes 31 close together, and then working theeyes along the member 7 and over the said end thereof. It will likewisebe noted that ventilation is provided for so that there is no likelihoodof galling or chafing of the skin.

It will be understood that inasmuch as the supporting frame member 7extends between the relatively adjacent forward ends of the straps 2 and3 comprising the hip belt 1, this member, in efiect, constitutes a partof the hip belt and it will be observed that the frame 28 constitutes asupport extending above the frame 7 for supporting the umbilical pad.

It will be observed by reference to the drawings, that in the preferredembodiment thereof, the member 8 of the wire frame 7 is formed in twoparts connected interengaging eyes 8 so that the two sections of theframe may have relative movement, thereby enabling the appliance toadapt itself to movements of the body.

In that form of the invention shown in Figure 6 of the drawings, themember 8 of the supporting frame for the umbilical pad supporting memberhas its intermediate portion formed integral throughout its length.

' Having thus described the invention, what I claim is:

1. In a truss, a hip belt, a supporting member upon the hip belt mountedfor swinging movement with relation thereto, an umbilical pad supportedby said supporting member, and a waist belt associated with theumbilical pad.

2. In a truss, a hip belt, a groin pad supported by the hip belt, asupporting mem ber upon the hip belt mounted for free swinging movementwith relation thereto, an umbilical pad supported by said member, and awaist belt associated with the umbilical pad.

3. In a truss, a hip belt, a groin pad supported by the hip belt, asupporting member upon the hip belt mounted for free swinging movementwith relation thereto, an umbilical pad angularly adjustably mountedupon the supporting member, and a waist belt associated with theumbilical pad.

4. In a truss, a hip belt including a forward portion adapted to extendtransversely across the body of the wearer, a groin pad supportedthereon, a supporting member mounted upon the said forward portion ofthe hip belt for free. swinging movement in a front and rear direction,an umbilical pad angularly adjustably mounted upon the said supportingmember, and a. waist belt associated with the umbilical pad.

5. In a truss, a hip belt having a forward frame member adapted toextend transversely across the body of the wearer, groin pads angularlyand slidably adjustably mounted upon the said frame member at oppositesides of the intermediate portion thereof, a supporting memberswingingly mounted upon the intermediate portion of the said framemember for free movement forwardly and rearwardly, an umbilical padangularly adjustably mounted upon the supporting member above andbetween the groin pads, and a waist belt associated with the umbilicalpad.

6. In a truss, a hip belt, a frame member extending at the front of thebelt and separably connected at its ends with the said belt, a groin padsupported by the said member and adjustably mounted thereon, said padbeing removable from the member by movement longitudinally thereof uponseparation of the member from the belt, and means for releasablysecuring said pad in a set position upon said frame member.

7. In a truss, a hip belt comprising a pair of hip straps, meansadjustably connecting the rear ends of the straps, a supporting framemember connecting the forward ends of the straps and having anintermediate portion and end portions extending rearwardly and forwardlytherefrom, a supporting member carried by the intermediate portion ofsaid frame, a pad carried by said supporting member, and groin padsmounted upon the said inclined end portions of the frame member andadjustable longitudinally thereof and also angularly thereon.

8. In a truss, a hip belt comprising a pair of hip straps, means foradjustably connect" ing the rear ends of the straps, the straps at theirforward ends having pockets therein, a supporting frame member havingportions removably secured in said pockets and extending between theforward ends of the straps, and groin pads supported upon the said framemember and adjustable longitudinally therealong and angularly about thesame.

9. In a truss, a hip belt comprising a pair of straps, means foradjustably connecting the rear ends of the straps, a supporting framemember extending between the for ward ends of the straps,the said framemember including downwardly and forwardly inclined end portions and atransverse intermediate portion, groin pads mounted upon the said endportions of the frame member, a supporting member swingingly mountedupon the intermediate portion of the frame member, an umbilical pad supported by the supporting member, and at waist belt connected with thesaid umbilical pad.

10. In a truss, a pad supporting red, a pad comprising a body, a slottedbolt secured to the body and receiving in its slot the said rod,gripping members upon the bolt at opposite sides of the rod, and a nutthreaded onto the bolt and adjustable to cause the said members to gripsaid rod, whereby the pad may be supported in dif ferent positions ofadjustment upon the rod.

11. In a truss, a hip belt comprising a pair of hip straps, means foradjustably connecting the rear ends of the straps, a supporting framemember extending between the forward ends of the straps, groin padsadjustably mounted upon the said frame member, a supporting memberswingingly mounted upon the intermediate portion of the frame memberbetween the groin pads, a plate adjustably mounted upon the supportingmember to assume various positions of angular adjustment, an umbilicalpad supported upon the said plate, and a waist strap associated with theends of the said plate.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

DAVID M. DAVIS. -1

